Tips on How to Introduce a Pet to Children Adding a Furry Friend to the Family
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS ARE COCOA BEANS A LEGUME OR A FRUIT? Because the word “bean” is in cocoa bean, many people would assume it’s a legume. However, they are technically seeds from a fruit tree known as the Theobroma cacao tree. WHY IS JAPAN CALLED “THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN?” If you look at Japan from a continental point of view, you will notice that the country sits in the direction of the sunrise. Because of this, citizens of Japan began to call their country Nihon or Nippon , meaning “source of the sun.” When you translate the terms to English, it means “land of the rising sun.” WHEN WAS THE FIRST HIGHWAY BUILT IN THE US? On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act. In August of that same year, Missouri was the first state to receive a new interstate construction funding contract. DO ANTS HAVE LUNGS? No, these tiny insects do not have lungs. Instead, they have tiny holes all around their body, which is how oxygen enters and carbon dioxide exits the body. Owning a pet can be fun and exciting for the entire family. However, introducing animals to children can be stressful, and when your children meet your new pet, you want to start things on the right foot (and paw!). So, how do you go about doing this? EDUCATING CHILDREN ON PET CARE Before bringing your four-legged family member home, it’s best to sit down with your kids and teach them how to treat and care for a pet. They should pet their new friend politely and make sure the animal is comfortable. Teach them what a cat or dog looks like when they’re happy, scared, or annoyed. Next, establish boundaries on what is and isn’t okay for your pet to eat and how to play with and care for them. You can also take this time to discuss the potential risks of owning a pet and what could happen if your child improperly handles them. Don’t forget to talk about dog or cat bites, scratching, and other behaviors. PREPARING THE INTRODUCTION When it’s finally time to bring your new family member home, inform your children about how nervous your new pet might be. They will be in a new environment with people they don’t know — so you want them to be as comfortable as possible.
First, allow your new pet to venture around the home and check things out. Once they’re acquainted with their surroundings, it’s time for them to meet the kids.
If you have multiple kids, have each child meet your new pet one at a time.
You also want two guardians involved during the introduction — one can keep an eye on the
furry friend, and the other can help the children. It’s also best to keep your new pet on a leash or harness if you need to separate them from anyone.
REMEMBERING THE ACRONYM ‘PAWS’ Teach your children to pause before approaching the animal. Have them ask if they can pet or play with the new four-legged friend. After your child waits for permission, have them gently offer a hand for your pet to sniff to see if they want to interact. If you need further guidance on introducing a new pet to your family or want to know how to train your furry friend, contact your local veterinarian for additional information.
Ginger Pork Stir-Fry
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS
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1 tbsp cornstarch 1 cup orange juice 2 tbsp soy sauce
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2 tbsp canola oil
1 small onion, sliced 1/4 lb fresh snow peas
2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned
Cooked rice
1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
Green onion, chopped (optional) Sesame seeds (optional)
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DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
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